Is it safe to drink herbal teas in pregnancy?

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Most herbal and fruit teas are thought to be safe in pregnancy, as long as you don't drink them in large amounts.

One or two cups a day should be fine. Replacing drinks such as coffee with herbal tea will also help you to reduce how much caffeine you drink. However, green tea contains some caffeine, so only have the occasional cup.

Try not to drink the same herbal tea every day. Herbal teas contain the
same plant chemicals that are used in herbal medicines. So try
different flavours, and give yourself a bit of variety.

As a general rule, teas made from fruit or herbs that are used in cooking are safe for you to drink while you're pregnant. However, you shouldn't drink sage tea or parsley tea in pregnancy.

Sage tea contains thujone, which has been linked to miscarriage and high blood pressure. Parsley tea may increase your risk of miscarriage and affect your baby's development, if you have it in large amounts. It's fine to use fresh or dried parsley and sage in moderation when cooking, though.

Go easy on some herbal teas. Valerian is used in many blends that claim to help you to sleep. However, some experts say it is best avoided in pregnancy. If you choose to drink it, stick to no more than one cup a day for no longer than six weeks at a time. As with any herbal tea, don't drink it continually throughout your pregnancy.

Valerian may also affect how well antidepressants work. So if you are having this type of treatment for depression, avoid drinking it.

Camomile tea is often recommended for insomnia, anxiety, nausea and problems with digestion. If you're having trouble sleeping, a cup of camomile tea before bedtime may relax you enough to sleep. However, if you drink too much, it may do the opposite and keep you awake.

Some experts have suggested that it's best not to drink camomile tea very often when you're pregnant. Though very rare, there is a possible link between drinking lots of camomile tea and circulation problems in babies. And bear in mind that if you have an allergy to some pollens you may be sensitive to camomile.

Some mums-to-be drink raspberry leaf tea in late pregnancy (from 32 weeks) to help them to prepare for the birth. It's believed to help tone the muscles of your uterus (womb) ready for labour, though not all experts agree.

If you are overdue, you shouldn't drink a lot of raspberry leaf tea to bring on labour. Some midwives say that this can cause very strong contractions, which could make your baby distressed during labour.

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Hi! I'm 15 weeks pregnant and I just found out that the fruit tea I've been drinking has some hibiscus in it and some sites seems to say that it's quite dangerous and may cause a miscarriage? I've had a fair bit of it over the last few days and I'm a bit concerned. Should I try to see a doctor?
Also, I've seen quite a few places that say to avoid camomile tea. Is that right?
Thanks!
V x

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